Revelation 2:8 Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; "And unto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna, write," etc. Smyrna was a city of Iconia in Asia the less near the sea-side, where the gospel was preached, and where this church was planted, unto whom this epistle was written by Christ’ s command. \ See KNOLLYS: Revelation 1:11,  and upon Revelation 2:1, See KNOLLYS: Revelation 2:1" concerning the word "angel," and "church". "These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive" See the exposition of Rev 1:8; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 1:17-18, See KNOLLYS: Revelation 1:8 See KNOLLYS: Revelation 1:11  See KNOLLYS: Revelation 1:17  See KNOLLYS: Revelation 1:18 which Christ repeated again, as a divine encouragement to the ministers and members of this church to endure their tribulations; and not to fear any of those things which they must suffer (testified in Revelation 2:10). See KNOLLYS: Revelation 2:10. As if Christ had said they persecuted me to death, I was dead, nevertheless, I live, and live for evermore \ being raised from the dead by the power of God the Father: And, if any of you shall be persecuted and suffer death for my sake and the gospels, I will quicken you and raise you from the dead, \ and because I live you shall live also. \